For a moment, in the final hours of this election cycle, let's talk about November 9th. The day after Election Day. Because, despite rhetoric on the contrary, the world is not ending on November 8th. People will vote, the votes will be counted.
And, as in the past 56 elections, someone is going to win. Someone is going to lose. Red or Blue, there will be feelings of victory and defeat, relief and anger, hope and nervousness bubbling in the Melting Pot. This election has shown the dark side of the "Us vs. Them" that comes with a democratic, two-party system, but there is a catch that always seems to reveal itself right around November 9th: Us and Them make up We the People. Even if your neighbor has all the opposite yard signs that you do, you are both American, both Hoosiers, both in the same county, district, block.
You both are faced with same question: what do I do now?
Whether your candidate won or lost (or didn't make it to the ballot at all), the work is just beginning. If you are unhappy with the state of the Union (as 83% of your fellow Americans are), then please consider this: it starts here.
Education reform starts in the rural elementary school up the road, where young teachers are passionate about their fields are laying the groundwork for the rest of their careers. How are we helping them? If education reform drove your voting this November, consider donating to local schools, volunteering at after-school events, or organizing a supply drive for classrooms. By helping that teacher and her students thrive, you positively affect both her career and the little future voters.
Community reform starts in the little local committees that put on BBQs and clean up parks. The church fundraisers for food pantries, the library book sales for literacy programs, the free carseat checks and local grocer holiday dinner donations all help the community extend a hand those who need it most. If community aid drove your vote, consider rolling up your sleeves and asking "Where can I lend a hand?"
If you are pro-life, reach out and surround the young single mother in your church with love, and help her get on her feet. If pro-life issues drove your vote, get involved with the pregnancy support centers, single moms groups, and other supports in your community.
If women's rights drove your vote, focus on teaching your sons and daughters how to treat women. Let there be no "boys will be boys" in your home, and show your daughter how to build up the women around her instead of tearing them down.
If government reform drove your voting choice, be active in your local politics. We all say we are tired of Washington, but tend to forget that everyone in Washington started somewhere. Your township board, your local elections, state reps, senators, and governors shape the future of national politics. No matter how trivial the local scene seems, change starts in your own townhall meetings.
This formula works for every issue. If _______ drove your vote, then find that issue in your local and state community and put feet to your politically charged social media posts. If we all stop caring about the "major issues" as soon as the ballot is cast, we will be in the same place come 2020.
What will you be doing on November 9th? Your answer might affect your community more than the election results. Time for We the People to get busy.
